SENATOBIA – Sophomore Charles Eaton hit a 3-pointer from the left wing with 12.7 seconds remaining and Northwest overcame 66 percent shooting in the game from Holmes to top the Bulldogs 83-80 Thursday night at Howard Coliseum. | Box Score | Watch Replay

Northwest closed the regular season 16-6 overall and 8-4 in the north to finish second and will be the No. 2 seed at next week's state tournament. Holmes' season ended at 11-12 overall and 5-7 in league play.

Northwest opened the game on an 8-0 run that forced an early Holmes timeout. Amped up, the Rangers hit their first six shots as the lead grew to 30-18 with 7:25 left in the half before Holmes caught fire.

The Bulldogs shot a stifling 72 percent (18 of 25) in the half and hit their final 13 shots to close the period on a 22-5 run to take a 48-42 lead.

Northwest connected on 52 percent in the first half and hit 8 of 17 from beyond the arc, but still trailed.

The Rangers slowly chipped away the opening 9 minutes of the second half after falling behind by as many as eight. Highlighted by two, Domonique Harris thunder dunks, Northwest strung together a 14-4 run to pull back ahead at 66-61 with 9:30 left.

The game went back-and-forth down the stretch, and each time it looked as if Northwest would pull away, Holmes dug deep and found a way to keep it close.

DeAndre Scott's jumper with 37 ticks left put the Bulldogs up 80-78 and forced Northwest to call a timeout.

Out of the timeout, Eaton cut through the lane and found some space at the top of the arc and buried his third 3-pointer that put the Rangers back up 81-80 with 12.7 seconds left.

DeMarcus McVay then stole a pass at the other end and took it the length of the floor before an intentional foul and two free throws sealed the victory.

Harris finished the night with 25 points on 9 of 12 aim, followed by a career-high 15 from Tristan Moore, 12 from Kenyatta Jones and 11 from Eaton. Holmes was paced by Scott who went 10 of 17 from the floor for 28 points.

Northwest closed its home slate 11-1 overall and ended on a 9-game winning streak.

Northwest will return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. against Southwest Mississippi in the opening round of the MACJC State Tournament at Pearl River.

Live stats will be available for all Northwest games at www.sidearmstats.com/northwestms/mbball.